From the Pastors Desk

People of Integrity

From the Pastors Desk - May 31, 2026

Friend, have you considered the type of legacy you would like to hand down to your children or grandchildren? The wise one, Solomon, underscores a virtuous inheritance that all parents and grandparents should delight in: “The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him,” Proverbs 20:7.

As the world in which you and I live grows ever more corrupt and deceptive, people of integrity are needed more than ever. In the Scripture, integrity has a rich meaning, referring to “wholeness or completeness”. The person with integrity is one whose work, home, finances and relationships function together without contradiction or disharmony. Such a life is, in the fullest sense, in accord with God’s will and purpose in every area.

When the prophet Samuel prepared to anoint Saul as king, he described his own priestly life and administration in these terms, ”…I have been your leader from my youth until this day…whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes?…1 Samuel 12:2,3.

To each question, the Israelites responded with a resounding affirmation of Samuel’s irreproachable leadership. Thus, my friend, integrity is a clear testimony of our private and public behavior with family, friends, and others.

There are other remarkable characters in Scripture who were people of integrity. One of them was the Old Testament man called Job.After, I say it again, after, the death of seven sons and three daughters, the loss of his great herd of sheep and cattle, and, a painful case of horrible skin lesions: Job is praised by God…”There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason,” 2:3.

The man, or woman, of integrity has as his/her foundation reverence for God—which influences all of his/her life. That reverence includes obedience to the Word of God and an accompanying hatred and avoidance of sin and evil. Such is his/her trust and confidence in the faithfulness of God that he/she refuses to blame God for adversity.

One more example: The life of David. “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life”, Psalm 26:1. “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them”, Psalm 78:72. The primary thought expressed in David’s songs is the idea of blamelessness. My friend, such a meaning does not suggest sinlessness. Obviously, David was not without sin. What is intended, despite sinful behavior, is a heart that remains sensitive to the truth and presence of God. Thus, integrity is a consuming desire to acknowledge, obey and follow God with a readiness and sensitivity to confess and repent one’s sin and failure.

Dear friend, what better, more solid legacy can you or I leave our children or grandchildren than an upright, honest, spiritual life—-the virtue of integrity..—Eli